Lennox. He stayed but little. And when he could he took his horse and rode out and came to five roads which met.... Stay ... my brother writ of these cross-roads. It is a pretty conceit he made. The one was called “The World,” and another “The Wars,” a third was “Power,” and the fourth ... see, can you read this?
Elizabeth. “Riches.” And the next word is “Poverty.”
Lennox. There he waited—perplexed.
Elizabeth. Quick, quick! Which did he choose?
Lennox. Faith, he tried them all save “Poverty.”... Yet when he would travel down one or the other her voice called him back, and his horse stood like stone till the knight trembled in the twilight and feared she was all a fairy and no woman, but mocked him. And then from his bosom there fell a sheaf of her hair. When he stooped to gather it, it grew into a fine chain, the end whereof he could not see, and it closed about his wrist like a bracelet and drew him to the road called “Poverty.”
Elizabeth. Then, surely, he rode fast?
Lennox. Horse and man were exceeding glad—so says the book ... because of the noble road which opened before them.... And the moon and the sun shone together upon them till at last they were come to a little house of boughs twined with lilies.... Over the door was written, “Her Heart and My Desire” ... and there he found his lady, singing fairy songs because she knew that he was faithful.... [Closes the book and bends over her.]
Elizabeth [softly]. And there they stayed surely a little while.
Lennox.... To the end of the world....
Elizabeth.... But the woodman came by with his axe to cut down the bower.